Hotels are a key part of summer travel, whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a cross-country road trip. While most stays go off without a hitch, safety can vary more than many travelers expect, depending on where they book.
To take a closer look, we analyzed FBI Crime Data Explorer data on offenses reported near hotels and motels across the country. By examining both violent and property crimes over the past decade, adjusting for population, we identified the states where hotel stays tend to be the safest and where risks are higher.
Below, we break down how each state compares and highlight the trends travelers should keep in mind before checking in.
Which States Are Most Dangerous for Hotel Stays?
As travel picks up in the warmer months, hotels become a home base for millions of Americans. But where you stay can play a role in how safe your trip is.
Let’s take a look at the states that stand out on either side of the spectrum.
The Most Dangerous States for Hotel Stays
These states reported the highest rates of violent offenses near hotels per 100,000 people:
- New Mexico — 128.4
- South Carolina — 123.1
- North Dakota — 115.1
- South Dakota — 114.1
- Montana — 113.6
Several trends stand out. Smaller, less densely populated states like the Dakotas and Montana rank high once the data is adjusted per capita. Even a modest number of incidents can translate to a higher rate when spread across a smaller population.
New Mexico and South Carolina, on the other hand, have long faced elevated violent crime rates overall, which may extend to areas around hotels and motels. In these states, higher concentrations of crime in certain regions can influence statewide averages, especially in areas with steady tourism or transient populations.
The Safest States for Hotel Stays
These states reported the lowest rates of violent offenses near hotels per 100,000 people:
- Pennsylvania — 5.8
- New York — 8.3
- New Jersey — 17.3
- Florida — 17.6
- Mississippi — 18.2
In contrast, several Northeastern states rank among the safest. Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey all report relatively low rates of violent incidents near hotels, which may reflect a combination of higher population density, more consistent law enforcement presence, and well-regulated hospitality areas.
Florida stands out as a high-tourism state with a comparatively low rate of violent crime near hotels. Despite welcoming millions of visitors each year, the state maintains lower per-capita incident rates, which suggests that many hotel-heavy areas are well-managed and closely monitored.
These differences highlight how location can shape the risks travelers face, even within the same type of accommodation.
Next, we’ll look at how states compare when it comes to property crime near hotels and motels, including theft and related offenses that can impact travelers just as often.
Which States Are Most Susceptible to Property Crime at Hotels?
Violent crime is only part of the picture. For many travelers, property-related offenses like theft and burglary are more common concerns during a hotel stay.
We’ll zoom in here on the states that stand out for elevated and depressed rates of property crime at hotels.
The States With the Most Property Crime Near Hotels
These states reported the highest rates of property crime offenses near hotels per 100,000 people:
- Nevada — 656.1
- South Carolina — 539.0
- Montana — 520.5
- New Mexico — 477.1
- Colorado — 453.2
Western states feature prominently here, with Nevada leading by a wide margin. As a major tourism hub, particularly in areas like Las Vegas, the state sees a high volume of hotel traffic, which can create more opportunities for property-related offenses.
Montana and New Mexico also rank high, reinforcing a pattern seen in the violent crime data. In smaller states, even moderate incident totals can result in higher per-capita rates. Colorado’s presence may reflect a mix of urban tourism and high travel activity, particularly in cities and resort areas that draw consistent visitors year-round.
The States With the Fewest Property Crime Near Hotels
These states reported the lowest rates of property crime offenses near hotels per 100,000 people:
- Pennsylvania — 21.0
- New York — 25.3
- California — 49.3
- New Jersey — 49.5
- Alaska — 49.9
Pennsylvania and New York once again rank among the lowest, continuing a trend from the violent crime analysis. Their large populations help stabilize per-capita rates, but these states also tend to have more structured hospitality environments and higher levels of oversight in high-traffic areas.
California’s inclusion is notable given its size and tourism volume. While total incidents may be high, the per-capita rate remains relatively low. Alaska, with its smaller population and more limited number of hotel-dense areas, rounds out the list.
A Closer Look at Vehicle Theft Near Hotels
Motor vehicle theft is one of the most common property crimes travelers may encounter, especially in hotel parking areas. When we isolate this offense, a similar group of states rises to the top.
States With the Most Vehicle Theft Near Hotels:
- Colorado — 102.66
- New Mexico — 98.75
- Nevada — 82.71
- North Dakota — 69.27
- Montana — 67.27
Colorado leads this category, which aligns with broader trends showing elevated vehicle theft rates in recent years. States like New Mexico and Nevada also appear again, suggesting that certain regions face consistent challenges across multiple types of property crime.
States With the Least Vehicle Theft Near Hotels:
- Pennsylvania — 1.28
- New York — 1.53
- New Jersey — 3.79
- Alaska — 5.45
- Florida — 6.12
The safest states for vehicle theft largely mirror the broader property crime rankings. Northeastern states continue to report low rates, while Florida again stands out as a high-travel destination with relatively limited incidents per capita.
For travelers, these differences highlight the importance of staying aware of your surroundings, securing belongings, and choosing accommodations in well-monitored areas.
Closing Thoughts
Hotel stays are a routine part of travel, but the data shows that safety risks can vary widely depending on where you go. From higher rates of violent crime in some Western and Southern states to elevated property crime in major tourism hubs, location plays a clear role in shaping the risks travelers may face.
As summer travel picks up, understanding these patterns can help travelers be more aware of where they’re staying and how they protect themselves and their belongings.
When hotels and other properties fail to provide a reasonably safe environment, the consequences can be serious. That’s where firms like Murphy & Prachthauser come in. Through their work in premises liability, they help hold property owners accountable when negligence leads to preventable harm—whether at a hotel, apartment complex, or other public space.
Methodology
To determine the most and least dangerous states for hotel stays, we analyzed violent crime and property crime data from the FBI Crime Data Explorer for offenses that occurred near hotels. Per the FBI, “violent crime” includes aggravated assault, homicide, rape, and robbery; “property crime” includes arson, burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft.
We pulled the totals by state across a 10-year window (2016 – 2025). We then calculated each state’s hotel crime rate as the total number of offenses in each category that occurred over the period per 100K residents.
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